The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-01-06

Gus situation.
There is plenty to trouble me-" ]
answered. "Iou know the men have
mutinied, and that my position is q
difficult one. have to be careful how
1 act, both for my sake and yours.
Eyes, know that" she said, keep
ing her clear and thoughtful eyes on
me. 'But then you said you did not
fear that the men would be violent
again, and that they would leave US on
board this ship when we were near
New Orleans"
Il will not conceal that have heard
something just now which has affected
me very much" l said to her. "Will
you step into my cabin? We can talk
there without being SEEM" 1 added,
having observed Stevens walk along
the main deck, and expecting that he
would return in few moments to his
cabin, it being his watch below.
She followed me in silence, and
closed the door.
Il will tell you in few words, l at
once began, what / heard just now.
| told the boatswain that | questioned
whether the men would let me land
with them, for fear of the evidence l
could give. He replied that he had
gathered from the carpenter. while at
breakfast, that the men intended 10
scuttle the ship when they quilted her.
and to leave us on board.
TO drown?"
THAT is their idea"
She pursed up her mouth tightly
and pressed her hand to her forehead.
That was all Whatever emotion my
statement inspired was hidden. She
said, in a low voice:
They are fends. 1 did not think
them so cruel. My poor father"
This is what am told they mean
to do; and 1 know Stevens to be a ruff
fan, and that he will carry out his
project if he can. have spent some
time alone here in trying to think how
we can save ourselves. AS yet l see
no remedy. But wait" said; lit will
take us three weeks. sailing well every
day, to reach the Gulf of Mexico. [
have this time before me, and in that
time not only something must, but
something shall, be done"
She did not answer.
Il will hazard nothing; will venture
no risks. What resolve to do must
be effectual," 1 went on, "because my
life is dearer to me now than it was
three days ago, foryOur and Your fathers
sake. You must be saved from the
ruifians, but no risk must attend your
delverance. This is why | see no es-
cape before Us as get, but it will come
it will come! Despair is very fruit
full in eXpedients, and | am not beaten
because | find myself flung like dog
in Il holer
She looked up at this, and said:
That is to be done?"
81 must think"
Il will think. too. We need not tell
papa?" she added, tOning her voice to
a question, with IN appealing look in
her eyes.
mo, certainly not Remember. we
are not supposed to question the mems
honest intentions toward us. We must
appear utterly ignorant"
Are they armed?" she inquired.
No"
She cast her eyes round the cabin
and said: Have you no guns?"
''No'hing but a pistol. But though
we had twenty guns, we have no hands
to use them. So far as l know yet,
there is no man that would stand with
even the unless he
were sure we should conquer the ruff
fans"
Gould l not use a pistol? All, 1
remem Der, You have only one"
Just then a step sounded along the
cuddy. The cabin door was pushed
open roughly. and Stevens walked in.
He stared at Miss Robertson, and cried:
Sorry to interrupt. Didn't know
you was here, ma'am, Pm sure. l
thought, addressing me, Il should
lind YOU turned in. I've come to have
a look at that chart O yours. How
long dye make it to New Orlcans?"
About three weeks"
"Well, there's livestock enough for
three weeks anyways. I've just told
the cook to stick one of them porkerS.
All hands has fancy for roast pork
to-day. Sarvant, miss. You was
pretty nigh drowned. think"
My father and l owe our lives to
he noble fellows in this ship. They
must be brave and good men to risk
heir lives to save ours" she answered, |
with smile of touching sweetness,
cooking frankly into the face of the
niscreant who stood, cap on head, be-
ore her.
"Lor' bless yer.' he exclaimed;
there wasn't no risk. I'd ha' swum |
he distance in such a sea for five shill-
n.y."
She shook her head with another
mile q judged the effort this piece of
lcting cost her), as she said:
Il know that English sailors always
their good deeds. But
happily my father is rich man, and
when you land us he will take care that
20 man on board this ship shall COM
,lain of his gratitude.
''Oh, he's richv exclaimed the car
'enter. rs though struck with a new idea.
Every rich
How rich might he be, ma amp"
''Well, he owned the ship that YOU
aved Us from-cargo and ship"
She could not have offered better
Illustration of her fathers wealth to
nc lhitI!, ioF hc HOulu dp9Tecl1le inc
aluc of Il vessel of that size
And what do you think he'll give
he men-thcm as saved him. l sup
oSc?"
"Oh, he won't make any difference.
lie is indebted TO you all. for l have
card that the Captain would not have
topped for us. had he not been obliged
D do so by the crew."
That's true enough" rejoined the
with an oath. looking at me.
Perfectly true l made haste to
ay.
- Nv farher yvO1ld NOT cartoip1I- offar